Hansen leads French Open after round 1

Hansen leads French Open after round 1

Hansen leads French Open after round 1

Anders Hansen of Denmark shot a 5-under 66 to lead by a stroke after the first round of the French Open. Hansen made seven birdies and two bogeys on the Albatross course of Le Golf National, the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup.

“You do want to stay out of the rubbish, and there’s plenty of it out there,” Hansen said. “Every hole there’s something. One bad shot and all of a sudden you’re staring at double. It’s just tough out there.”

Hansen finished fourth at the 2009 French Open.

Frenchman Romain Wattel is in second place, one stroke clear of nine players who shared third place, including Martin Kaymer of Germany.

Past winner Martin Kaymer of Germany (68) stayed in contention, along with 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (69) and American golfer Matt Kuchar (70). Kuchar is playing in his first French Open.

Thomas Pieters of Belgium had a share of third place until the last hole where he made a double bogey for a 70 to slip to 24th. Pieter’s just turned professional after finishing his junior year at the University of Illinois. This was his first European Tour start as a pro.